Maintaining the flow of water and cash are top concerns for two El Dorado Irrigation District candidates.
"Dealing with the tremendous shortage of funds … for projects that need to be built" will be a priority in the next four years, said incumbent John Fraser.
The district has relied heavily on money from residential development, and that stream has been reduced to a trickle.
"We're going to have to deal with that somehow," Fraser said.
Challenger Richard Boylan said he wants to curb rate increases. He looks to plug spending leaks through a review of contracts for services.
"I want to see if some are unnecessary or broader in scope and more costly than they need to be," he said.
Fraser, former general counsel and executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies, is seeking a third term as the district's Division 2 representative.
"I think the current board has a very successful game plan that we've been following the last eight years," he said.
He cited efforts to maintain and upgrade water and sewer systems instead of waiting for them to fail.
Boylan, an educator who served on the Marin Municipal Water District board in the 1970s, said he entered the Nov. 3 race at the urging of residents who are unhappy with the current board.
He called for more public outreach and scheduling evening board meetings so that working people could attend.
The district serves about 100,000 customers on El Dorado County's western slope, providing water, sewer and recycled water services. It also owns and operates the Sly Park Recreation Area near Pollock Pines, and lakes in Alpine and Amador counties.
Both men cited drought protection as a critical issue. The district dodged a water shortage this year, but a Stage 1 drought declaration triggered higher water rates and a call for a 15 percent voluntary reduction in water use during the spring.
Fraser noted that the district is working through the El Dorado Water and Power Authority to secure for the county annual rights to 40,000 acre-feet of water from the American River and Folsom Lake now held by the state. The water is being sought to take advantage of delivery and storage capacity acquired in a 2005 agreement with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
Fraser said he also would support off-stream storage projects. A long-contemplated project at Alder Creek would have the advantage of providing water releases to generate electricity at the district's powerhouse near Pollock Pines.
Boylan said he would push to develop 20-year and 50-year water use and availability plans based on the latest scientific data, including the effects of climate change.
In addition to new water rights and off-stream reservoirs, Boylan suggested such strategies as restoring Sierra meadows. The meadows, he said, could serve as giant sponges, preventing rapid runoff and releasing water year-round.
Boylan also suggested raising existing dams to increase storage capacity and exploring groundwater storage opportunities.
Both candidates support expanding recycled-water use.
El Dorado Irrigation District board candidates will participate in a League of Women Voters candidates forum from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday in the Board of Supervisors meeting room, 330 Fair Lane, Building A, Placerville
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 773-6866.
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